Trucks roll to aid storm victims

Box trucks full of winter clothes and supplies will be heading from our region down to Staten Island this week to help those suffering from damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

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By James Nani

recordonline.com

By James Nani

Posted Nov. 12, 2012 at 2:00 AM

By James Nani

Posted Nov. 12, 2012 at 2:00 AM

How You Can Help

• To help those displaced by the storm find long-term housing solutions, visit the Empire State Relief Fund at empirestaterelief.com/

• If you are interested in volunteering in t...

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How You Can Help

• To help those displaced by the storm find long-term housing solutions, visit the Empire State Relief Fund at empirestaterelief.com/

• If you are interested in volunteering in the relief effort, regional volunteer centers can be found at governor.ny.gov/nyvolunteers

• You can help those affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief at redcross.org/charitable-donations

Source: New York State Governor's Office

» Social News

Box trucks full of winter clothes and supplies will be heading from our region down to Staten Island this week to help those suffering from damage caused by Hurricane Sandy.

The team effort to reach out to those in the badly battered area began last week, said Charles Piper, Orange County deputy fire coordinator for Battalion 3, when his unit got a request from Ann Berardinelli of the Town of Newburgh to gather supplies.

"A lot of people were looking to do something and were looking for an avenue to do it," said Piper.

Berardinelli said her brother's home in Staten Island was saved from damage, but that he witnessed the island's battering from the Oct. 29 storm. Staten Island has seen 23 Sandy-related deaths, according to the New York Police Department.

The fear and destruction Berardinelli heard about from her brother and the news compelled her, and the Trinity United Methodist parish in Newburgh, to act.

Piper said he called Matt Schaeffer, pastor of the Bethel United Methodist Church on the southern tip of Staten Island, last week.

"He said 'Can you perform a miracle for me?'" said Piper.

From there, the ball got rolling. Word spread quickly and people began dropping off hats, jackets, gloves and cleaning supplies to fire stations from Cronomer Valley to Winona Lake.

Piper said that at one point, a line of cars formed at one fire station to drop off goods.

"The station looked like one of those gas lines," said Piper.

Piper said U-Haul in New Windsor donated box trucks to haul supplies, while the Valero and QuickChek gas stations in Middlehope donated gas for the trip down. By Sunday, two trucks were already filled.

"It's like everyone wants to come forth and do something," said Piper.

The trucks will be taken down over the course of the week, starting Monday, to help.

Berardinelli said needs change quickly — cleaning supplies and diapers have been requested; and with an abundance of lost or roaming dogs and cats, pet food and supplies are also in short supply.

Schaeffer acknowledged the good intentions of those wanting to help, but emphasized the importance of coordinating with a trusted organization to determine what's needed and when and how to best deliver those services.

"In a situation like this, everyone wants to react immediately and personally, and you have to kind of step back," said Schaeffer.